NFC South Morning Jog: Panthers May Get More Mature Cam Newton in 2012

Each morning, I like to start the day off with a workout—usually a morning jog. I can clear my head, plan my day and think about what's going on around the NFC South.

Carolina Panthers

With the NFL draft now less than a week away, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer talks about the option of trading down in the first round.

Head coach Ron Rivera said quarterback Cam Newton seemed more mature in a recent visit and "seems like a different person," according to Charlotte Observer reporter Scott Fowler.

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff discussed the upcoming draft on Thursday. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution gives a blow-by-blow in his article.  

New Orleans

A.J. Perez of Fox Sports spoke with filmmaker Sean Pamphilon for a question and answer session.

Mike Hogan of the Times-Picayune is starting his NFL draft preparations and talked about the Saints team needs at offensive line.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vincent Jackson is already proving to be a great influence on Tampa Bay's young receiving corps, according to Tampa Tribune writer Ira Kaufman. Jackson said, “We’re going to be the most-prepared team in the league."

New head coach Greg Schiano expects nothing less than maximum effort and is extremely detail oriented, said Mark Cook of the Pewter Report. In the article, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy spoke about a new team philosophy. “We have to have discipline and he has created what he calls 'The Buccaneer Way' and I would like to tell you guy what that is but … basically we have to hold everybody accountable."

Tampa Bay signed two players on Thursday, according to Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times. Thin at the position, the Bucs signed safety Ron Girault. Earlier in the week the team also asked Ronde Barber to move to safety. The Bucs also signed running back Robert Hughes.